Today we’d like to introduce you to Raven Minor.
Hi Raven, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am a multifaceted creator born and raised in St. Louis, MO! I am a music artist, photographer and creative director.
Photography has been my passion since 2017, but it was in the spring of 2023 that I began dedicating myself to it with focus and consistency. Since then, I have been refining my skills and building a foundation with the goal of becoming a full-time photographer, specializing in creative portraits, fashion, branding and editorial work. I have been creating music since 2019 and have been evolving my music and lyricism through my personal growth and faith journey over the years. I am striving to begin working on a new project soon and get my new vibe out there. I am deeply grateful to the mentors who offered me opportunities to shadow and learn from their expertise, which has been a blessing! I have many more passion projects stored away that I can’t wait to work on and share with the world!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road the whole way. Some struggles I have faced have been fear and doubt around some of the things I’ve created or wanted to create, I would let those those factors slow me down or procrastinate in times when I needed to keep going. There were times I struggled with comparison and feeling like I am behind, or feeling like I needed to do more but did not have the motivation. I’ve realized along the way that if you truly want something you will put in the work and effort to get it done without fear of judgment or fear of not feeling qualified. I would say through growing my faith and relationship with Jesus Christ in 2023 to now that he has taken those worries away, and I have felt more confident to show up as authentically as I can and being bold in how I express myself. I know that I am unique and that there is space for my creations. I have to remember to give myself grace and move at the pace that is for me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I would say I am most known as a music artist, but more recently known as a photographer. With photography, I specialize in creative and editorial portraits. I love portraits because of the intimate shots and I love how creative you can be with your model and environment. I think it is so beautiful to capture up close shots and capturing authentic expression. I love doing editorial work because of its boldness and how it has no limits. I especially love working on location and outdoor settings, I love to be able to use a space in different lighting and capturing a multitude of moods and looks. I also love fluid and bold movement from the models. Shooting outdoor has taught me a lot about being able to adjust quickly and I think thats what I appreciate the most about it. I am most proud of creating my first editorial magazine called UNIFIED, it was a photo series based off editorial magazine covers and I thought why not create my own since this was a goal of mine. I plan to continue the magazine series as an annual release.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice for people starting out is to explore and create what feels good for you. When you are new you can’t figure out right away what your likes and dislikes are, you just have to see what fits and works for you then you will find a natural flow and become proficient in the area you choose. I also say, do not be afraid to ask for help as a beginner, there are plenty of creatives and resources out there that are willing to help! When I first started as a photographer, I reached out to many seasoned photographers to shadow and learn from them. There were some no’s and some unread emails but I was blessed to have a few get back to me and were able to teach me what they could, and that experience has been invaluable to my journey!
Pricing:
- $30 Unified Magazine
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.camerarollrave.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ravexo/
- Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/camerarollrave/
